History seeker Tiger Roll headlines 105 entries for the £1-million Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, 4 April, details of which are revealed today.
The Randox Health Grand National is the world’s richest Jump race and takes place for the 173rd time this year at 5.15pm on day three of the Randox Health Grand National Festival, Saturday, 4 April.
In 2019, Tiger Roll became the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back Grand Nationals and the 10-year-old now has the chance to become only horse to land three consecutive runnings of the world’s greatest chase.
Trained in Ireland by Gordon Elliott and owned by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, Tiger Roll is due to begin his campaign in either the G2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan on 16 February or in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on 10 March, where he was won four times previously.
Tiger Roll is the 7/1 clear favourite with Betway, official betting partner of the Randox Health Grand National Festival.
Elliott accounts for 18 of the 45 Irish-trained entries in total, the most of any handler, as he chases a fourth success in the race. If victorious, he would emulate Fred Rimmell and Ginger McCain as the most successful trainer in Grand National history.
Elliott’s team also features leading Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Delta Work and the exciting novice Champagne Classic. Both horses are owned by Gigginstown House Stud.
Other G1 performers among the entries are Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Native River (Colin Tizzard) and Sizing John (Jessica Harrington IRE), plus two-time Betfair Chase victor Bristol de Mai, one of seven contenders for dual Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Irish Grand National victor Burrows Saint is one of 10 entries for Willie Mullins, who landed the spoils in 2005 with Hedgehunter. The Mullins contingent also includes last year’s impressive Randox Health Topham Chase victor Cadmium and recent Thyestes Chase scorer Total Recall.
Last year’s runner-up Magic Of Light (Jessica Harrington IRE) and impressive Munster National heroine Cabaret Queen (Willie Mullins IRE) are the pick of four mares engaged. No mare has won the Grand National since Nickel Coin in 1951.
Tiger Roll is not the only previous Randox Health Grand National winner among the entries, with that honour also held by One For Arthur (Lucinda Russell) who in 2017 became only the second Scottish-trained scorer after Rubstic in 1979. Only four horses have regained the Grand National – Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977), Manifesto (1897 & 1899), The Lamb (1868 & 1871) and Peter Simple (1849 & 1853).
Walk In The Mill (Robert Walford) has an excellent record over the Grand National fences and fared best of the British-trained contenders in the 2019 Randox Health Grand National, finishing fourth. Walk In The Mill is a 20/1 chance with Betway.
The 10-year-old, who carries the colours of Baroness Dido Harding, captured the G3 Randox Health Becher Handicap Chase for the second time at Aintree in December, making him the first back-to-back winner of the race.
Trainer Robert Walford said: “Walk In The Mill came out of the Becher in great form and the intention now is to run him over hurdles at Chepstow on Friday.
“It will be good just to get him out on the course and that is why we are going to run at Chepstow.
“This will probably be his last fun before the Grand National. There are other races that we could run in, but I would like to go to Aintree with a fresh horse, so to run now suits our schedule.
“He has been a brilliant horse for me. He just seems to love those fences at Aintree and it is exciting to have a live Grand National contender on our hands.”
Sue Smith, who tasted Grand National success in 2013 with Auroras Encore, has given Vintage Clouds an entry after his impressive victory in the G2 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock Park on 18 January. He is a 25/1 chance with Betway.
Vintage Clouds fell at the first in the 2019 Randox Health Grand National and was pulled up in the Randox Health Becher Chase following a bad mistake.
His owner Trevor Hemmings is the joint most successful in Grand National history with three wins – Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs (2011) and Many Clouds (2015).
Smith said: “After consideration we have decided to enter Vintage Clouds for the Grand National.
“Having discussed it at length with Trevor Hemmings [owner], we decided that having won so well in the Peter Marsh Chase, it was worth keeping our options open until nearer the time.
“He has slightly struggled over the Aintree fences, particularly in the Becher, but we want to keep all options on the table for the time being.
“He jumped superbly in the Peter Marsh and has come out of the race very well.”
Hemmings also has Lake View Lad (Nick Alexander) and Warriors Tale (Paul Nicholls), winner of the 2018 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences, engaged.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls ended his wait for Grand National glory in 2012 with Neptune Collonges. The Somerset handler’s six entries include Listed Badger Beers Silver Trophy victor Give Me A Copper, who is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Other high-profile entries include the JP McManus-owned pair of Kimberlite Candy (Tom Lacey) and Ok Corral (Nicky Henderson), who have started 2020 with coveted handicap chase successes at Warwick and Doncaster respectively, plus Welsh National hero Potters Corner (Christian Williams), who is part-owned by Wales rugby union international Jonathan Davies.
The two French-trained entries are Balko Moriviere (Jerome Larrigade) and Disco d’Authie (David Cottin). The two French-trained winners of the Grand National are Huntsman in 1862 and Cortolvin in 1867.
Weights for the Randox Health Grand National are unveiled before an invited audience at St George’s Hall in Liverpool on Tuesday, 11 February.
The Randox Health Grand National is the only race for which senior BHA chase handicapper Martin Greenwood is able to deviate from official ratings in allotting weights.
Betway’s Alan Alger: “Since crossing the line first in last year’s race, the extraordinary Tiger Roll has been perched at the top of the betting for the 2020 renewal and we are currently offering a top price of 7/1. Could he be the first horse to win the race three years in a row?
“Native River, the 2018 Gold Cup Winner, looks to have been campaigned for a crack at the Grand National and the Colin Tizzard trained gelding is available at 20/1 with us at Betway.
“Despite winning almost all there is to win in horse racing, the Grand National still eludes Nicky Henderson. This year, he has four horses entered in an attempt to break his duck and for the master trainer to win the race with any of his entrants is 10/1.”
Randox Health Grand National – Betway prices:
7/1 Tiger Roll
16/1 Burrows Saint, Kimberlite Candy
20/1 Delta Work, Elegant Escape, Le Breuil, Native River, Magic Of Light, Walk In The Mill
25/1 Definitly Red, Potters Corner, Total Recall, Vieux Lion Rouge, Vintage Clouds
33/1 Any Second Now, Beware The Bear, Borice, Bristol De Mai, Cadmium, Dalko Moriviere, Disco d’Authie, Give Me A Copper, Mall Dini, Ok Corral, One For Arthur, Pleasant Company, Shattered Love, Talkischeap, Voix Du Reve
40/1 Acapella Bourgeois, Activial, Alpha Des Obeaux, Anibale Fly, Aso, Ballyoptic, Champagne Classic, Missed Approach, Ramses De Teillee, Sizing John, Sub Lieutenant, Top Ville Ben, Yala Enki
50/1 Chef Des Obeaux, Chris’s Dream, Cogry, Death Duty, Dingo Dollar, Dragon D‘estruval, Fingerontheswitch, Fitzhenry, General Principle, Hogans Height, Jury Duty, Kildisart, Lake View Lad, Roaring Bull, Takingrisks, The Storyteller, Valtor
66/1 A Toi Phil, Class Conti, Lord Du Mesnil, Monbeg Notorious, Moonshine Bay, Out Sam, Peregrine Run, Poker Party, Prince Of Scars, Ravenhill, Regal Encore, Snugsborough Benny, Spider Web, The Hollow Ginge, The Young Master, Tout Est Permis, Townshend, Traffic Fluide, Warriors Tale, Yorkhill
80/1 Acting Lass, Ami Desbois, As De Mee, Atlanta Ablaze, Cabaret Queen
Crievehill, Dallas Des Pictons, Dounikos, Flying Angel, Heron Heights, Jett
Joe Farrell, Mister Whitaker, Noble Endeavor, Now Mcginty, Romain De Senam, Saint Xavier
100/1 Double Shuffle, Singlefarmpayment
150/1 Kilfilum Cross, Outlander, Princeton Royale, Rathlin Rose, Scoir Mear, Soupy Soups, Steely Addition
Randox Health Grand National 2020 Specials:
Nicky Henderson to trainer the winner? (Beware The Bear, Ok Corral, Valtor, Dragon D’Estruval) 10/1
Female Ridden winner 16/1
The Randox Health Grand National
Grade 3 handicap chase, £1 million total prize fund. Aintree, 5.15pm Saturday, April 4, 2020. 4m 2f 74yds over the Grand National fences. For seven-year-olds and upwards who, prior to March 17, have started in a chase during the current season and been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase with an official distance description of' two miles seven and a half furlongs' or more at any time during the horse's career. Horses must also be allotted a rating of 125 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 9. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including February 9 would merit a minimum rating of 125. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 10. At the Handicapper's discretion, such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. Entries closes January 29 (105 entries), weights revealed February 11, first scratchings deadline February 25, second scratchings deadline March 17, five-day confirmations March 30, final declarations 10am April 2. Maximum field of 40 plus four reserves.
|
Horse |
Age |
Owner |
Trainer |
|
A Toi Phil (FR) |
10 |
Teme Valley 2 |
Gary Moore |
|
Acapella Bourgeois (FR) |
10 |
Slaneyville Syndicate |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Acting Lass (IRE) |
9 |
Nigel & Barbara Collison |
Harry Fry |
|
Activial (FR) |
10 |
Roger Brookhouse |
Tom George |
|
Alpha des Obeaux (FR) |
10 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Ami Desbois (FR) |
10 |
The Reserved Judgment Partnership |
Graeme McPherson |
|
Anibale Fly (FR) |
10 |
J P McManus |
Tony Martin IRE |
|
Any Second Now (IRE) |
8 |
J P McManus |
Ted Walsh IRE |
|
As de Mee (FR) |
10 |
The Stewart Family & Judi Dench |
Paul Nicholls |
|
Aso (FR) |
10 |
The Bellamy Partnership |
Venetia Williams |
|
Atlanta Ablaze |
9 |
The Last Man Standing |
Henry Daly |
|
Ballyoptic (IRE) |
10 |
Mills & Mason Partnership |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
Beware The Bear (IRE) |
10 |
G B Barlow |
Nicky Henderson |
|
Borice (FR) |
9 |
Simon Munir/Isaac Souede |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Bristol de Mai (FR) |
9 |
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
Burrows Saint (FR) |
7 |
Susannah Ricci |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Cabaret Queen |
8 |
SyndicatesRacing |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Cadmium (FR) |
8 |
In Our Element Syndicate |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Champagne Classic (IRE) |
9 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Chef des Obeaux (FR) |
8 |
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Chris's Dream (IRE) |
8 |
Robcour |
Henry de Bromhead IRE |
|
Class Conti (FR) |
8 |
P Joubert |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Cogry |
11 |
Graham and Alison Jelley |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
Crievehill (IRE) |
8 |
Highclere T'Bred Racing- Crievehill |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
Dalko Moriviere (FR) |
7 |
Ecurie Sagara |
Jerome Larrigade FR |
|
Dallas des Pictons (FR) |
7 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Death Duty (IRE) |
9 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Definitly Red (IRE) |
11 |
Phil & Julie Martin |
Brian Ellison |
|
Delta Work (FR) |
7 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Dingo Dollar (IRE) |
8 |
M Warren J Holmes R Kidner & J Wright |
Alan King |
|
Disco d'Authie (FR) |
11 |
Mme Magalen Bryant |
David Cottin FR |
|
Double Shuffle (IRE) |
10 |
Crossed Fingers Partnership |
Tom George |
|
Dounikos (FR) |
9 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Dragon d'Estruval (FR) |
7 |
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede |
Nicky Henderson |
|
Elegant Escape (IRE) |
8 |
J P Romans |
Colin Tizzard |
|
Fingerontheswitch (IRE) |
10 |
Cahill, Atwell & Crofts |
Neil Mulholland |
|
Fitzhenry (IRE) |
8 |
J P McManus |
Paul Nolan IRE |
|
Flying Angel (IRE) |
9 |
R J Rexton |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
General Principle (IRE) |
11 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Give Me A Copper (IRE) |
10 |
Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood |
Paul Nicholls |
|
Heron Heights (IRE) |
11 |
Barry Maloney |
Henry de Bromhead IRE |
|
Hogan's Height (IRE) |
9 |
Foxtrot Racing: Hogan's Height |
Jamie Snowden |
|
Jett (IRE) |
9 |
G M McGrath |
Jessica Harrington IRE |
|
Joe Farrell (IRE) |
11 |
M Sherwood, N Morris & J Turner |
Rebecca Curtis |
|
Jury Duty (IRE) |
9 |
Sideways Syndicate |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Kildisart (IRE) |
8 |
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede |
Ben Pauling |
|
Kilfilum Cross (IRE) |
9 |
Andy Bell & Fergus Lyons |
Henry Oliver |
|
Kimberlite Candy (IRE) |
8 |
J P McManus |
Tom Lacey |
|
Lake View Lad (IRE) |
10 |
Trevor Hemmings |
Nick Alexander |
|
Le Breuil (FR) |
8 |
Mrs Emma Palmer |
Ben Pauling |
|
Lord du Mesnil (FR) |
7 |
Paul Porter |
Richard Hobson |
|
Magic of Light (IRE) |
9 |
Ann & Alan Potts Limited |
Jessica Harrington IRE |
|
Mall Dini (IRE) |
10 |
Philip J Reynolds |
Patrick Kelly IRE |
|
Missed Approach (IRE) |
10 |
Alan & Andrew Turner |
Warren Greatrex |
|
Mister Whitaker (IRE) |
8 |
Tim Radford |
Mick Channon |
|
Monbeg Notorious (IRE) |
9 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Moonshine Bay (IRE) |
7 |
Ann & Alan Potts Limited |
Jessica Harrington IRE |
|
Native River (IRE) |
10 |
Brocade Racing |
Colin Tizzard |
|
Noble Endeavor (IRE) |
11 |
Chris Jones |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Now McGinty (IRE) |
9 |
The Garratt Family |
Stuart Edmunds |
|
Ok Corral (IRE) |
10 |
J P McManus |
Nicky Henderson |
|
One For Arthur (IRE) |
11 |
Two Golf Widows |
Lucinda Russell |
|
Out Sam |
11 |
D Charlesworth |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Outlander (IRE) |
12 |
GOWING'S ELEVEN |
Richard Spencer |
|
Peregrine Run (IRE) |
10 |
V Byrne |
Peter Fahey IRE |
|
Pleasant Company (IRE) |
12 |
Malcolm Denmark |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Poker Party (FR) |
8 |
Robcour |
Henry de Bromhead IRE |
|
Potters Corner (IRE) |
10 |
All Stars Sports Racing & J Davies |
Christian Williams |
|
Prince of Scars (IRE) |
10 |
Simon Munir/Isaac Souede |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Princeton Royale (IRE) |
11 |
D Nott, P Beadles, R Clarke |
Neil King |
|
Ramses de Teillee (FR) |
8 |
John White & Anne Underhill |
David Pipe |
|
Rathlin Rose (IRE) |
12 |
Fergus Wilson |
David Pipe |
|
Ravenhill (IRE) |
10 |
Try Ravenhill Syndicate |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Regal Encore (IRE) |
12 |
J P McManus |
Anthony Honeyball |
|
Roaring Bull (IRE) |
7 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Romain de Senam (FR) |
8 |
Chris Giles & Dan Macdonald |
Paul Nicholls |
|
Saint Xavier (FR) |
8 |
David Maxwell Racing Limited |
Paul Nicholls |
|
Scoir Mear (IRE) |
10 |
J P McManus |
Tom Mullins IRE |
|
Shattered Love (IRE) |
9 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Singlefarmpayment |
10 |
N T Griffith & H M Haddock |
Tom George |
|
Sizing John |
10 |
Ann & Alan Potts Limited |
Jessica Harrington IRE |
|
Snugsborough Benny (IRE) |
10 |
R Loughnane |
Liam Cusack IRE |
|
Soupy Soups (IRE) |
9 |
Equi ex Incertis Partners |
Neil Mulholland |
|
Spider Web (IRE) |
9 |
J P McManus |
Tom Mullins IRE |
|
Steely Addition (IRE) |
8 |
Step By Step |
Philip Hobbs |
|
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) |
11 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Henry de Bromhead IRE |
|
Takingrisks (IRE) |
11 |
Frank Bird |
Nicky Richards |
|
Talkischeap (IRE) |
8 |
Charles Dingwall |
Alan King |
|
The Hollow Ginge (IRE) |
7 |
The Ginge Army |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
The Storyteller (IRE) |
9 |
Mrs Pat Sloan |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
The Young Master |
11 |
Mike Burbidge & The Old Masters |
Neil Mulholland |
|
Tiger Roll (IRE) |
10 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Gordon Elliott IRE |
|
Top Ville Ben (IRE) |
8 |
Harbour Rose Partnership |
Philip Kirby |
|
Total Recall (IRE) |
11 |
Slaneyville Syndicate |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Tout Est Permis (FR) |
7 |
Gigginstown House Stud |
Noel Meade IRE |
|
Townshend (GER) |
9 |
J D Neild |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
|
Traffic Fluide (FR) |
10 |
Galloping On The South Downs Partnership |
Gary Moore |
|
Valtor (FR) |
11 |
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede |
Nicky Henderson |
|
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) |
11 |
Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent |
David Pipe |
|
Vintage Clouds (IRE) |
10 |
Trevor Hemmings |
Sue Smith |
|
Voix du Reve (FR) |
8 |
Andrea & Graham Wylie |
Willie Mullins IRE |
|
Walk In The Mill (FR) |
10 |
Baroness Harding |
Robert Walford |
|
Warriors Tale |
11 |
Trevor Hemmings |
Paul Nicholls |
|
Yala Enki (FR) |
10 |
Hills of Ledbury Ltd |
Paul Nicholls |
|
Yorkhill (IRE) |
10 |
Andrea & Graham Wylie |
Willie Mullins IRE |
105 entries
45 Irish-trained
2 French-trained
Breakdown of entries by trainer with past successes in the Randox Health Grand National
18 entries
Gordon Elliott IRE (2007 Silver Birch, 2018 & 2019 Tiger Roll)
Alpha des Obeaux
Borice
Champagne Classic
Dallas des Pictons
Death Duty
Delta Work
Dounikos
General Principle
Jury Duty
Monbeg Notorious
Noble Endeavor
Out Sam
Prince of Scars
Ravenhill
Roaring Bull
Shattered Love
The Storyteller
Tiger Roll
10 entries
Willie Mullins IRE (2005 Hedgehunter)
Acapella Bourgeois
Burrows Saint
Cabaret Queen
Cadmium
Chef des Obeaux
Class Conti
Pleasant Company
Total Recall
Voix du Reve
Yorkhill
7 Entries
Nigel Twiston-Davies (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree)
Bristol de Mai
Ballyoptic
Cogry
Crievehill
Flying Angel
The Hollow Ginge
Townshend
6 Entries
Paul Nicholls (2012 Neptune Collonges)
As de Mee
Give Me A Copper
Romain de Senam
Saint Xavier
Warriors Tale
Yala Enki
4 Entries
Henry de Bromhead IRE
Chris's Dream
Heron Heights
Poker Party
Sub Lieutenant
Jessica Harrington IRE
Jett
Moonshine Bay
Magic of Light
Sizing John
Nicky Henderson
Beware The Bear
Dragon d'Estruval
Ok Corral
Valtor
3 Entries
Tom George
Activial
Double Shuffle
Singlefarmpayment
Neil Mulholland
Fingerontheswitch
Soupy Soups
The Young Master
David Pipe (2008 Comply Or Die)
Ramses de Teillee
Rathlin Rose
Vieux Lion Rouge
2 Entries
Alan King
Dingo Dollar
Talkischeap
Gary Moore
A Toi Phil
Traffic Fluide
Tom Mullins IRE
Scoir Mear
Spider Web
Ben Pauling
Kildisart
Le Breuil
Colin Tizzard
Elegant Escape
Native River
1 Entry
Nick Alexander
Lake View Lad
Mick Channon
Mister Whitaker
David Cottin FR
Disco d'Authie
Rebecca Curtis
Joe Farrell
Liam Cusack IRE
Snugsborough Benny
Henry Daly
Atlanta Ablaze
Stuart Edmunds
Now McGinty
Brian Ellison
Definitly Red
Peter Fahey
Peregrine Run
Harry Fry
Acting Lass
Warren Greatrex
Missed Approach
Philip Hobbs
Steely Addition
Richard Hobson
Lord du Mesnil
Anthony Honeyball
Regal Encore
Patrick Kelly IRE
Mall Dini
Neil King
Princeton Royale
Philip Kirby
Top Ville Ben
Tom Lacey
Kimberlite Candy
Jerome Larrigade FR
Dalko Moriviere
Tony Martin IRE
Anibale Fly
Graeme McPherson
Ami Desbois
Noel Meade IRE
Tout Est Permis
Paul Nolan
Fitzhenry
Henry Oliver
Kilfilum Cross
Nicky Richards
Takingrisks
Lucinda Russell (2017 One For Arthur)
One For Arthur
Sue Smith (2013 Auroras Encore)
Vintage Clouds
Jamie Snowden
Hogan's Height
Richard Spencer
Outlander
Robert Walford
Walk In The Mill
Ted Walsh IRE (2000 Papillon)
Any Second Now
Venetia Williams (2009 Mon Mome)
Aso
Christian Williams
Potters Corner
